“And to think, I hesitated.” – Dr. Philip Channard (played by Kenneth Cranham), immediately after being transformed to his fantastically grotesque and perverse incarnation as a Cenobite, a demonic torturer and permanent denizen of Hell.

Oh my gosh, what a load off. You know, I always feel better having a statement of purpose, such as Cauldron 18 served. I think this is the start of a new way: where I won’t just nod approvingly when someone says something I don’t agree with, but rather make it more of a habit to voice my opinion.

I’ll pick my battles though. Obviously, I’m not going to start a fight for the sake of fighting. In fact, I resolve to be fair and to listen at least as much as, if not more than, I speak.

Also, not sure why I feel the need to say this, but I do want to make it clear that there’s no racism here. In fact, I’ll tolerate religion more than I’ll tolerate racism, which is to say not at all. Race-based thinking, to me, is even more idiotic than religion.

And no, I don’t think I deserve a gold star or brownie points for thinking all people are equal. That should, of course, be a given.

And if I ever feel a prejudiced thought trickle down into my noodle, I always remember how much profound admiration I have for the Igbo people of Nigeria. Their traditional customs dictate a reverence for Royal Pythons, of which I have two. The killing and eating of pythons is a profound taboo in their culture. In fact, if one is accidentally killed, many communities will actually build a coffin for the snake and give it a brief funeral.

Now, those are my kind of people.

And goddamnit, there’s one more thing I want to add that I won’t tolerate: infidelity. I’m particularly inspired by this idea, having made it more than halfway through “Gone Girl”.

I have been in a couple of questionable relationships in my life, one in particular that my smooth talking and writing bought me more time than I deserved. And I will forever be in debt to that gal. She may not even know this, and it’s certainly not a burden or obligation for her to carry. In fact, undoubtedly she’s moved on, and good for her. I’m only saying I’m grateful and indebted , and if she’s happy, that’s all I could ever ask: and I’m happy for her.

I’m really just content that I had the pleasure of knowing someone like her in my life. I know it doesn’t happen for everyone.

To her: for whoever she’s with, I hope they know just how fortunate they are. I blew my chance with what’s colloquially known as “foolish pride”, so I hope that whoever you’re with won’t blow theirs.

Cheers – you fucking rule.

P.S. I’m going to try to write a little every day, and I want to end today’s bit with a song that – should I ever play live – I’d like to open with. It’s a beautiful, mournful melody from the greatest film composer of all time: Ennio Morricone. And it’s the main title from “Once Upon A Time In The West”.

It always brings me to tears.

-- ∆☩Y§ ☨♆∀☥✠